Calif. officer murdered, suspect kills self

Response to a burglary ended in death of an officer remembered for being respected, proactive, and fun

By PoliceOne Staff

GALT, Calif. — An officer was shot and killed Tuesday night during a physical altercation with a suspect, who then turned the gun on himself.

Kevin Tonn, 35, was responding to a call about a burglary and was shot as he approached a suspect for questioning.

(ODMP Image)

"The suspect retrieved a handgun from his person, somewhere on his body, and fired one shot at Officer Tonn," Lt. Jim Uptegrove told a news conference Wednesday.

The suspect fired at a second officer before turning the gun on himself, according to Uptegrove.

Tonn, a three-year veteran of the department, had worked as a medic and a firefighter in New York prior to becoming an officer, according to the Associated Press.

He really had a passion for being a canine officer," Detective Jarrett Tonn, Kevin's cousin, told media. "He always wanted to do it his whole life, and was really excited when he got selected to do it."

"Officer Kevin Tonn's death is a tragic loss that reminds us of the risks that law enforcement officers take every day to keep us safe," Attorney General Kamala Harris said. "His service and sacrifice will never be forgotten."